SSS tells members: Learn to go online

We recognize that it is a continuing challenge for us to shift our members and pensioners to use the self-service online facilities of SSS

SSS is banking on the increasing number of web-registered members, which has risen 34 percent to 7.7 million from 6.12 million over the six-month period.

The Social Security System (SSS) wants more members utilizing online platforms to support its target of transitioning up to 90 percent of total transactions to electric channels by 2022.

The state-run agency projects hitting 32.3 million web transactions by next year, thrice more than the 10.54 million web transactions posted in the first half this year.

The latter is only 28 percent of the total 37.16 million transactions during the period, as over-the-counter deals remain the preferred mode by SSS members, accounting for 72 percent of the total at 26.63 million.

Still, SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora Ignacio said the agency is banking on the increasing number of web-registered members, which has risen 34 percent to 7.7 million from 6.12 million over the six-month period.

SSS also anticipates for the number to rise to eight million by next year. As of June this year, SSS has a total of 14.95 million paying members.

“We recognize that it is a continuing challenge for us to shift our members and pensioners to use the self-service online facilities of SSS. We’re looking to turn the tables and make more members transact thru online facilities instead of over-the-counter transactions,” Ignacio said.

She said the agency is digitizing core service deliveries to provide “faster, easier and accessible services for members,” and also save on overhead expenses.

SSS is developing so-called e-Center branches where clients are directed to self-service web channels instead of transacting over the counter. It plans to renovate 33 branches into such terminals this year alone.

Currently, available SSS channels include the SSS Website, SSS Mobile App, Self-Service Express Terminal, interactive voice response system, text-SSS and contribution payments through GCash.

Should this be realized by 2020, the 32-million web transactions would account for more or less 50 percent of SSS total transactions. Beyond 2020, the agency is aiming to ramp up the stake of web transactions by 90 percent.

“Our plan is we should achieve it by 2022,” Ignacio said.